Collective Eye Films’ new satirical dramedy The Trainer is preparing for its North American premiere. Don’t miss it at the Tribeca Film Festival—June 7th—so catch it! Tony Kaye directed and co-wrote the film with Vito Schnabel. It’s got an all-star cast with jaw-dropping turns from Julia Fox, Lenny Kravitz, Paris Hilton, Bella Thorne, Gina Gershon, Beverly D’Angelo, Gayle King, Finneas O’Connell, Taylour Paige and tennis legend John McEnroe.
The Trainer has to compete and follow Jack Flex, who is played by Schnabel himself. He’s a personal trainer on a quest to convince celebrity movers and shakers in Los Angeles to bet on his wacky fitness contraption—a weighted helmet dubbed “the Heavy Hat.” However, this $1 billion project has been in development for more than a decade. Schnabel only originally pictured himself in the director’s seat rather than as the film’s star.
Creative Kaye is perhaps best known for his incendiary 1998 American History X. Throughout his career, he’s released very few projects. He and Schnabel worked together tightly to bring together the film’s incredibly diverse cast. Whatever their strategy was, it worked, as they were able to attract some huge recruits—including an eleventh hour enrollment of Paris Hilton.
The second part of Schnabel’s proud boast about their efficient and quick recruitment of these famous but obscure figures.
“We got these people in the blinks of an eye, and we had to work very quickly with them,” – Tony Kaye
Lenny Kravitz was reluctant to join the project at first, but the filmmakers convinced him to participate.
“That almost didn’t happen, but then once he decided to do it, he went all in,” – Vito Schnabel
Production was its own challenge too. This movie did not shoot like a normal production with COVID-19 restrictions. Creatively, the production was challenged. Some cast members, including Kravitz, filmed their scenes remotely from home. Despite his limited acting experience, having only appeared in small roles in productions like Feud: Capote vs. The Swans and Before Night Falls, Schnabel took on the role of Jack Flex.
“I felt like I had no business even trying to do it, to be honest. I was scared,” – Vito Schnabel
Schnabel was apprehensive, but he really wanted the job. He was convinced that working together with Kaye would be a way to make his dream come true.
“But I wanted to do it. And I felt like maybe I could with Tony,” – Vito Schnabel
Julia Fox (Uncut Gems) stars as Bee, the film’s other main character. As a kill-joy receptionist for RVCA, she helps Jack on his search, but eventually becomes Jack’s love interest. Schnabel, who is surprised and delighted by Fox’s presence in the film, showered praise on the former star.
“She is such an incredible phenomenon — what she created and what her personality represents,” – Vito Schnabel
Landing another impressive addition to the cast and team is Finneas O’Connell. Kaye expressed admiration for O’Connell’s creative abilities.
“I’m a student of Finneas and Billie,” – Tony Kaye
In our film’s premise, Jack Flex, a renegade inventor, searches for buyers on his nutty-niche invention. His prey are celebrities, frequently considered aspirational figures, the epitome of fitness and health. The Trainer perfectly balances comedy and drama. It’s a smart, engaging examination of ambition and absurdity in the juxtaposition of the American dream and celebrity culture.
“I’ve studied their sound and their lyrics, and so to have Finneas as a part of our team was amazing.” – Tony Kaye
The film’s premise revolves around Jack Flex’s outlandish attempt to sell his invention to celebrities who are often seen as symbols of fitness and health. With its blend of humor and tension, The Trainer aims to explore themes of ambition and absurdity against the backdrop of celebrity culture.
